It was an honour to host Mark as a guest at the Sanctuary in April. He has kindly offered to share his reflections with us in the first of our new Guest Interview series. Why did you decide to come on retreat at Sen Wellness Sanctuary when you did? I needed a break, and some […]
Sanctuary Sessions: Mark Ford’s Peaceful Shift of Perspective Read More »
We are truly blessed that Eleanor was able to join us at the sanctuary and share her gifts with us. Thank you for your warm words Eleanor. SERENITY THE SEN WAY This summer I was lucky enough to spend a month as resident yogi at the Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka. What I found
Sanctuary Sessions: Eleanor Phelan on ‘Serenity the sen way’ Read More »
At the heart of all our ceremony circles lies the magnificent mandala crafted with love and care by our team 🌺
The circular pattern is adorned with fresh flowers and petals, its circular patterns signifying the eternal flow of Time. Mandalas symbolize unity, harmony, and the interconnectedness of all things. In Sanskrit, mandala translates to “sacred center” or “circle”. For thousands of years, spiritual traditions across the world, from Buddhism and Hinduism in the East to the Maya and Aztec civilizations in the Americas, have used mandalas as tools for meditation, self-reflection and spiritual practice.
In our Retreat ceremonies, we honor this ancient practice and use it as a tool to facilitate the inward journey of our guests. By bringing in different elements of various spiritual traditions we create a safe and supportive environment for the growth and blooming of our participants.
If you appreciated the behind the scene love and energy poured into the stunning mandalas, hit like🩷 and stay tuned for more sharings!
If you’re pulled by the transformative power of these sacred rituals, join us at our upcoming Autumn Sunshine Retreat- November 8th to 17th. (Link in bio for more info on retreats!)
#retreat #yogaretreat #ayurveda #srilanka #srilankatravel #ayurvedaretreat #spiritualretreat #mandala #mandalaart
Water is life, flowing all around us and within us 💧
At Sen Wellness Sanctuary, this sacred element surrounds us—from the waves gently meeting the shore, to the still waters of the backwater lagoon, the peaceful lily pond, and the quiet grace of floating flowers. In many spiritual traditions, water represents purification, renewal, and the flow of energy, reminding us of our deep connection to nature and our reliance on this vital force for survival.
In Ayurveda, water is a key element that nurtures, cools, and balances our bodies and minds. It soothes fiery energy, supports digestion, and keeps us feeling calm and refreshed. Essential for balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas, water helps us stay grounded and in flow with nature. Just like a refreshing dip, it brings harmony and renewal from the inside out.
As we honour water, we honour the life it sustains and the spiritual balance it brings to our journey ✨
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘞𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺” – 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘒𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘨𝘦, 𝘚𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳
The power of a community is something we hold sacred in our group retreats. The unique light of each individual, a powerful energetic beacon, contributes to the healing magic of the space and the moment.
During our Signature retreats, a big part of the magic happens when we join together in Ritual and Ceremony.
🩵During the 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 we allow the space and time for everyone to set an intention for the 10 day journey ahead.
🩷In the 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭-𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲, we gratefully allow various forms of medicine to gently and lovingly open our very centre, the heart. We do this by integrating cacao medicine, breathwork, chanting, prayer, meditation and other ancient technologies. When we work with our heart energy, we invite love, empathy, compassion, and positivity right into our lives.
🧡Our 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 allows us to reflect and integrate all that was packed into and experienced during the 10 day retreat. A valuable opportunity to reflect and process all that deep healing taking place on all the levels of the Self.
Our Signature retreats merge subtle yet powerful healing modalities that will sync your system right back with Mother Earth.
If this retreats call you, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. More about our Signature retreats in the link in bio!
Ayurveda teaches us that true wellness begins with understanding our unique body type, or Dosha. By embracing the wisdom of Ayurveda, we can nurture our bodies, minds, and spirits with the right foods, practices, and self-care routines. This ancient knowledge helps us live healthier, more vibrant lives, attuned to our individual needs and the changing seasons.
At Sen Wellness Sanctuary, we’re passionate about sharing these insights with you. Follow us for more Ayurvedic wisdom and wellness tips to support your journey. Enjoy a 15% discount on our Bespoke Ayurveda Retreats in beautiful Sri Lanka—designed to nourish your wellbeing from the inside out! 🌿✨
Vata (Air & Space) 🌬️
Creative, energetic, and quick-thinking, Vata types thrive on movement and change. However, they can also be prone to feeling anxious, scattered, and cold. To balance, Vatas benefit from grounding routines, warmth, and nourishing foods.
Pitta (Fire & Water) 🔥
Driven, focused, and passionate, Pitta types are natural leaders with strong digestion and sharp intellects. When imbalanced, they may experience irritability and inflammation. Cooling activities, relaxation, and a balanced diet help soothe Pitta’s fiery nature.
Kapha (Earth & Water) 🌿
Calm, steady, and nurturing, Kapha types have a strong sense of stability and endurance. When out of balance, they can feel lethargic and overly attached. To keep Kapha in check, energizing movement, lighter foods, and mental stimulation are key.
#ayurveda #bodytype #dosha #srilanka #srilankatravel #ayurvedaretreat #retreat #wellnessretreat #spiritualretreat
Meet Tseyang, Our Inspiring Yoga Teacher at Sen Wellness 🌿
Here’s a glimpse into Tseyang’s approach and philosophy:
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻?
In my sessions, I emphasize traditional yoga and meditation, with a strong focus on mindfulness practices. I make it a priority to understand each guest’s individual level and needs, ensuring every session is tailored and supportive.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼?
As a Mahayana Buddhist practitioner, I blend yoga philosophy with a deep dedication to spiritual growth. My goal is to help others transcend limitations within this lifetime, aiming for holistic transformation.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?
It’s not just about leading a class—it’s about forming deep connections with each individual. This connection allows me to fully immerse myself in service, bringing me joy as I meet incredible people and build lasting friendships.
𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱?
This too shall pass. Love and believe in yourself.
If Tseyang’s inspiring journey resonates with you, 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 ❤️ and follow us for more stories, tips, and mindful practices from the Sen Wellness Sanctuary!
While summer fades elsewhere… in Sri Lanka, the sun shines on ☀️ Ready for endless sunshine and soul-soothing retreats? 🌸
#YearRoundSummer #SriLankaEscapes #yogaretreat #wellnessretreat #srilankatravel #srilankaretreat #spiritualjourney #unplugrecharge #innerpeace #mindfulliving
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” - Anne Lamott 🌿
Did you know… taking a retreat can restore you in ways you never imagined? ✨
Recharge your mind—so you can return with clarity and focus
Heal your body and soul with personalized care
Nourish your body with authentic healthy Sri Lankan food
Strengthen your spiritual connection with others and yourself
Reclaim your joy—because life is too short to be anything but fulfilled
Our bespoke retreats are crafted to match your unique vibe—whether you’re here for 3 days or 3 weeks.
Prepare to enjoy:
- Personalized Ayurvedic treatments
- Yoga and breathwork sessions
- Sound healing sessions
- Local exploration trips
…And a beautiful Sri Lankan beach just a walk away !
At Sen Wellness, our bespoke retreats are your sanctuary for transformation and renewal. Comment ‘Bespoke’ below to receive more details, let’s craft your journey to wellness together. 🌺
#retreatyourself #spiritualjourney #wellnessretreat #ayurvedahealing #mindfulliving #natureretreat #holistichealth #soulconnection #unplugrecharge #InnerPeace #srilankaretreat #srilankatourism
Ayurveda Tips for Seasonal Transitions 🍃🌸
In Ayurveda, the transition of the seasons is a sacred time to realign with the changing energies. Here at the Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka, we embrace this shift with mindful practices that honor the body’s needs, encouraging you to do the same wherever you are.
The key is to enjoy seasonal foods wherever you are. Foods cultivated in the summer help to cool down the body, while foods cultivated in autumn/winter increase heat. In the heat of summer, our bodies crave foods that cool and soothe. Watermelon 🍉 is a perfect example of a fruit that helps to balance the fiery energy of the season. As the rains begin to fall, we shift towards warming foods like mango 🥭 which increase internal heat and prepare us for the cooler months ahead.
Ayurvedic tips for the heat…
✅ Enjoy Cold drinks, yogurt, ice cream, eggplant, pumpkin, spinach, cow’s milk, curd, and eggs.
❎ Avoid: pineapple, tomato, tuna, shrimp, crab, cuttlefish, and beef (these can be enjoyed in moderation during the cold season).
Ayurvedic tips for the cold…
✅ Enjoy: warming foods, practices like hot water steam inhalation, gentle exercise to maintain internal heat and spending time in nature
❎ Avoid: head showers in the evening or at night
As the weather cools, our routines should reflect the need for warmth and balance. Whether you’re soaking in the last rays of summer or welcoming the chill, let these Ayurvedic principles guide you through the seasonal shift with grace and ease. 🌿✨
A great way to tune your system to the seasons and nature is by joining our tailor made retreats, uniquely crafted for your wellbeing. Enjoy 15% in September and October for any of our bespoke retreats.
Drop ‘bespoke’👇 in the comments below, and we’ll DM you the link with more info!
#ayurveda #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvedawisdom #seasonalwellness #holistichealth #naturalliving #mindfulliving #ayurvedalifestyle #wellness #wellnessjourney #ecoretreat #srilanka #srilankaretreat #balancewithnature #ayurvedatips #healthyliving #mindbodysoul #mindbodybalance #retreatyourself
At Sen Wellness Sanctuary, our spaces are designed to blend seamlessly with the beauty of nature, creating a deep sense of connection to the world around us. Built with the utmost sensitivity towards the surrounding ecosystem and wildlife – the culmination of 18 months of collaborative work with environmental consultants. 🌿
The eco-conscious architecture is a bespoke design by the Brazilian-American architect, Adriana Arbex, while the exterior and interior showcases the artistry of local craftsmen and Sri Lankan design.
The main building and cabanas feature a circular design encouraging a continuous flow of Prana throughout the space. The communal areas are open, encouraging airflow and lowering the temperature with the coastal breeze. The cabanas can be reached by a walkway that has been built on stilts to allow the natural flow of animal migration - in line with our commitment to wildlife conservation and coexistence with the life that surrounds us.
Discover the harmony between design and nature, and experience the warmth of our loving hospitality here at Sen Wellness Sanctuary. We can’t wait to welcome you. 🌺
If our eco-conscious approach resonates with you, hit like 🩷 and stay tuned for more insights!
#ayurveda #srilanka #ayurvedaretreat #retreat #srilankatravel #meditation #sustainableliving #ecoarchitecture #srilankanretreat #wellnessretreat #ecotravel #natureinspired #ecofriendlyliving #consciousliving #mindfulliving #holisticwellness #nature #natureconnection #ecoconscious
Food is medicine.
At the Sanctuary, we serve authentic, home-style Sri Lankan meals that are predominantly plant-based and wheat-free - a menu, developed in collaboration with health and environment-conscious chefs.
Ingredients are:
🌱 Seasonal
🌱Organic
🌱Locally sourced from our own biodynamic farm in the rainforest or from local markets that share our ethos on sustainable food production
While the Vata-Pitta-Kapha diet is commonly practised at Ayurvedic retreat centres, its full benefits only unfold during longer stays (6 months +) and instead, can be excessively restricting for shorter stays. We believe in a more flexible approach that aligns with the broader concepts of Ayurveda and is supported by empirical research.
Every element of our culinary approach is guided by intention.
🌱 We provide two wholesome main meals during the day, followed by a lighter dinner to allow the digestive system to rest.
🌱 For each meal, we gather at the communal table to share and connect.
🌱 We have created a nurturing space where healthy habits can be established and carried long after your stay.
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#ayurveda #nourishment #food #srilankanfood #foodismedicine #seasonal #organic #plantbased #wheatfree #retreatcentre
A sacred experience at Mulkirigala Rock Temple:
🪷 Explore the 7 caves adorned with Buddhist statues and paintings
🪷 Learn the history of the temple, the meaning of the stupas, and mindfulness practices
🪷 Practise stupas circumambulation, walking and sitting meditation
🪷 Pause, breathe, find peace…
#senwellnesssanctuary #srilanka #mulkirigalarocktemple #peacewithin
🌿🙏🏼💗
What is Abhyanga?
Abhyanga, derived from the Sanskrit words abhi (towards or into) and anga (limb or movement), is Ayurvedic massage. It involves a specific sequence of strokes including long, sweeping movements using copious amounts of warm, herbal oils tailored to the individual’s dosha.
It is a form of therapy known as snehna, which translates to ‘to oil’ as well as ‘to love’ or ‘to nurture’. To cover the body in herbal oil is to envelop the body in love. In Ayurveda, abhyanga is one of the dinacharya (daily practices) for maintaining health and wellness.
Benefits include:
* Calming the nervous system and reducing stress
* Improving blood circulation
* Promoting lymphatic drainage and detoxification
* Improving sleep patterns
* Promoting softer, stronger and more supple skin
* Lowering blood pressure
* Supporting musculoskeletal system
* Relieving muscular and joint pain and aches
* Stimulating the internal organs of the body
#ayurveda #massage #abhyanga #dinacharya #snehna #ayurvedicmedicine #retreat #meditation #yoga #herbalmedicine #herbaloil #srilanka
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